The winter season can be pretty brutal with the cold and flu attacks; especially this year as many people I know have gotten the swine flu and regular flu already and we have a few more months to go. I am usually pretty good about staying healthy and sick free during the holidays, but this past weekend I got hit by the flu. Having the stuffy, running, sneezing nose, watering eyes and achy body is miserable. I was in bed for days and there were other things I really needed to be doing. So I thought I would share some tips on staying healthy…    

I first would like to share with you some Natural Tips to preventing colds and flu. These are things that we should be doing on a regular basis because it is all about staying clean. We should always wash our hands and when we wash the hands we need to keep scrubbing them for 5-10 minutes. Washing for a few seconds just does not cut it. Also it is important to keep your hands off your face (eyes, mouth and nose area). I am really bad with that as I am always touching my face…just a bad habit. And when you sneeze you are not suppose to cover your nose with your bare hand. Use a tissue if you have one nearby or something that you can wipe your nose with toss afterwards. Now this is a new one for me, but they say you should sit in a sauna; this is just a theory that the Germans came up with, but they say that when you inhale the hot temperatures it kills off the germs in your lungs. Hey I will try anything…well almost anything. Then we should always remember to drink plenty of fluids and keep hydrated because when our immune system is down bad things can take over easier. There are more natural tips at http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu; please check them out.

Now for some other good tips…ones that involve a little more work on your part are things like get the Flu Shot. Some companies give them for free to their employees, but I know not all so there are other places you can go to get one and it is pretty inexpensive. I know Walgreens is doing it for $30.00 and Sam’s Club is also offering it for $20.00 for those who don’t have insurance. That is cheaper than the cost of a doctor’s bill and a prescription afterwards. Your family doctor can give it as well. It is also very important to be taking a multi vitamin daily and vitamin C, so if you do not do this regularly I suggest running out and buying some this week. It is important to take vitamins for many reason and we should be taking them all season long; not just winter cold and flu season. And lastly there is nothing better than good old fashion rest. We have a tendency to run our selves ragged which really takes a toll on one’s body and all kinds of bad illnesses can take over. So remember to stop and relax once in a while and if you start to feel bad do not keep pushing yourself…relax. It will pay off in the long run!

I hope you all can use my tips to stay healthy through the winter this year. Please feel free to share your home remedies or ideas you and your families might do during the winter season too. I would love to try them out. Until next time…take care!